One of the nuances with the PSP as far as memory goes is that you need to use the more expensive Duo sticks, rather than the standard Sony Memory Stick. It looks like someone has found a nice workaround in this area, as they have figured out a way to have the PSP recognize regular Memory Stick media. It takes a little bit of time to get it working, and certainly doesn’t look practical, but it is still very cool nonetheless.

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Using Wipeout Pure, a custom DNS FreeBSD local server and some hacking tricks a couple of people have been able to browse the web using their PSPs. Wipeout Pure includes an in-game link to a Sony download page that for now only states it is “Coming Soon”, this sparked an idea from some people such as roto/mozy to find out just what was the page the PSP was accessing. After “sniffing” around they were able to find out just what link the PSP was accessing and set their local server running FreeBSD to redirect the PSP to their local file via custom DNS mapping. The result is being able to make a local file with some links to various pages of their choice. Not only are they able to surf the web using links, but also dialog box input via the PSP’s Keyboard API. The website set up for information just has information they have gathered and promises a guide to be made available soon.

Weather-wise, it was a horrible day in NYC. But that couldn’t stop 500 soon-to-be PSP owners to come out and stand in line for hours at the SONY Style store in Manhattan. Yours truly stood in line with the crowd and got hailed on for hours just to get the opportunity to be part of entertainment history.

Microsoft has begun testing the Unified Update service, which is what the expect to replace the all-too-notorious Windows Update. The public beta is being tested by about 25,000 users, most of which also participated in the Windows Update version 5 test in preparation for Windows XP SP 2. The plan for Unified Update is that it will provide all downloads for Windows, as well as Microsoft Office, Exchange, and SQL Server. In the long haul, the hope is that the platform will be able to update any and all Microsoft products, including games.

A month or so ago, I got a call from NPR personality Laura Sydell asking about the impending launch of the Sony PSP. We spoke a bit on the phone, and I was then invited to come to the radio studio to talk at length about Sony’s handheld. The studio segment recording lasted about 20 minutes, and the piece aired the other day. Of course, as with most media channels, segments are cut up. Take a listen to NPR’s report on the PSP launch, and you will even get to hear me mention an outdated way of putting video onto the device!

Last month weeks ago we reported on a new web application that allows users to organize and archive their textual content. The idea was excellent but the execution was a little weak. Members had to cut and paste their textual content to bbBuddy. The site has just released a new bookmarklet that automatically fills in the subject, body and source of every post that you highlight with your mouse. Now you can archive your textual content with just 2 clicks. Unfortunately, it looks like it only works on a Windows box with later versions of Internet Explorer or Firefox. If you leave comments on blogs, or post on a message board, you may want to try this.

It’s always great to see what some free time, creativity, a notebook, and a digital camera can do. The results are illusions of transparent desktops on various notebooks. At first you might say, “Ah, that’s easy” (much like I said at first) – boy was I wrong. These are harder to accomplish then it seems. You must first get the right angle with your camera, take the shot, upload it, set it as your desktop and adjust the screen to match. Seems pretty simple, right? Try it out for yourself and let us know how the result came out.

Cell phones with cameras are great. You can take a quick snapshot where ever you are and of almost anything you desire. One thing that really isn’t possible with cell phone cameras – taking a good image of yourself. Sure you could have someone take the picture for you, but what about those times when there isn’t anyone around to take the picture for you? That’s where Cellpod comes to save the day. Cellpod is a pocket sized tripod for your cell phone which can be attached via the belt clip button or with an included attachment. This cell phone accessory will set you back $24.99 and available in black or “Edge glow” blue.

I got my shiny new PSP today at Gamestop. There I was, all psyched up and ready to roll. I was prepared to experience the joy that comes will all things new and electronic - and BAM! Three dead pixels on the right hand side. Many have reported that this is a problem with their PSP’s. This is most likely due to the fact that Sony ramped up production to get a million units ready for the US launch. I just returned from my local Gamestop, and unfortunately they have no PSP’s in stock (surprise!), and they don’t know when they will receive more. I did manage to get them to agree to call me as soon as they get one for exchange. Anyone else experiencing this problem?